Crossroads In Life......

Well here I am. I am forty years old and thinking about finally becoming a trucker. I have thought about it before, and thought it was pretty cool when I worked at a truck stop for a while. I am getting kinda tired of going job to job and barely making ends meet, and know that it is now time in my life for a career. I am strongly thinking of going to a company sponsored driving school, and narrowed it down to Prime Inc, Knight Transport, and FFE Transport.

I know it is a lifestyle change, and I know that the family can adjust as well. I will have a lot of support, but also will have my fair share of nay sayers as well......I guess maybe everyone does. I am fully prepared to commit a year as an OTR driver and maybe after that I can land with something that is a little bit more regional.

There is actually a hell of a lot more than that going on in my life right now, but I don't really know if anyone will read this, or even care about what I have to type behind a computer. I guess maybe I just needed to get it out somewhere. If anyone wants to know more, has questions or any of that good stuff, I would love to make some new trucking friends before I take the journey myself.

Out.

I'm reading this, and definitely care about what you have to type behind a computer - I wouldn't mind knowing more...

There's lots of folks at a crossroads in their life going to trucking. I too was tired of barely being able to put food on the table.

I trained with FFE in Dallas and overall, it was a really good experience. Most of the trainers we're really likable, and knew what they were talking about. Good luck with whatever you choose though.

Canyon, TX? That is one of my favorite towns here in TX....spent a lot of time there lol

Well, our finances are in really bad, bad shape. The wife has talked that if it doesn't get better it is definitely over, and it might be anyways. I have nothing but an Associate's in General Studies, and not a whole lot of experience in anything that will pay me enough to not end up homeless. Now I know that being on OTR driver would be hard on the wife and kids, but with the alternatives on the table, it is def worth the chance. I have discovered that one thing I need to be more marketable is a skill. Something to build off of, besides the retail sales and teachers aide past I have. Besides, I have been a teachers aide in elementary school the last three years, so being in a truck would be a nice change!!!

I do have one question too....would depression in any way affect my chances of being a truck driver?

More to come?

Daniel said it all. Sometimes, you just have no other choice and your family is counting on you to provide. It can put a lot of pressure on you to make it work. As for your question, I'm sorry, I have no idea. I've never battled depression before. If you do start trucking, I'd seek out professional help if its bad. Being on the road and isolated as we are, it could make it worse. I'd definitely try and find happiness in the little things and call home often. Maybe if you constantly remind yourself why you're driving, you'll keep the depression at bay. You've always got friends on here though, don't hesitate to ask for help.

Canyon, TX? That is one of my favorite towns here in TX....spent a lot of time there lol

Well, our finances are in really bad, bad shape. The wife has talked that if it doesn't get better it is definitely over, and it might be anyways. I have nothing but an Associate's in General Studies, and not a whole lot of experience in anything that will pay me enough to not end up homeless. Now I know that being on OTR driver would be hard on the wife and kids, but with the alternatives on the table, it is def worth the chance. I have discovered that one thing I need to be more marketable is a skill. Something to build off of, besides the retail sales and teachers aide past I have. Besides, I have been a teachers aide in elementary school the last three years, so being in a truck would be a nice change!!!

I do have one question too....would depression in any way affect my chances of being a truck driver?

More to come?

If your marriage is on the rocks right now then wait till you get a load of the stress driving a truck will cause. While marriages do work great in trucking those are usually strong to start with. If the marriage is barely holding together for one reason or another there is a very good chance that it will not last in the trucking industry. Truck driving can and does ruin a lot of solid relationships.

This is probably going to sound wierd, but I think my marriage is actually pretty strong. The biggest problems that we are having at the moment are money based. That is a big part of why I am looking for a better career, instead of a j o b. And, if we just aren't meant to make it, then I need to be doing something where I can afford to support myself.

Billy...hey man. I found myself in your situation many times. 2 ex wives, etc...One day I wasn't happy with my career and I finally decided to do what I always wanted.....drive a truck! I start prime on the 16th. Just do what you gotta do for your family and yourself

Billy, I can look at trucking from both sides of the windshield. I've been a driver, both solo, and team, and I've been the person at home who kept the fire stoked. Your marriage might actually benefit with you going into trucking. It will allow you time to learn a trade, provide an income, and get a better idea of who you are, and what you are made of. It is not a job...it is a lifestyle. Your wife will get to run the house ( that you used to help with), tend the kids (that you used to help with), pay the bills (that you used to help with), fix the things that need fixed (that you used to fix), and generally...learn to appreciate you in a different light. And you will get to eat out of truck stops( and miss home cooking),wash your own clothes( that she used to wash), clean your own truck ( well...she cleans up after everyone), fix your own ouwies ( moms fix EVERYONE'S ouwies), and learn to appreciate her in a new way. It will be a growing, maturing journey for both of you. But if you never try...you will never know the benefits or woes...